Auto industry

KBA, a German auto industry watchdog, has found illegal emissions control software in Audi’s newest Euro 6 diesel vehicle models, forcing the Volkswagen-owned company to recall more than 127,000 new TDI equipped Audi cars.

The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag is reporting that Audi has been given until February 2nd to submit plans to the KBA regarding software updates for the emissions control systems of the vehicles in question. For its part, Audi has issued a statement saying that, “The engine control software for the vehicles in question will be completely revised, tested and submitted to the KBA for approval.”

Reuters provided a bit more context, stating that, “In November, Audi announced a recall of 5,000 cars in Europe for a software fix after discovering they emitted too much nitrogen oxide, the polluting gas that parent Volkswagen concealed from US regulators in its devastating, $18 billion ‘dieselgate’ scandal … Volkswagen was found in 2015 to have illegally manipulated engine software so that vehicles would meet nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions standards in laboratory testing but not in real-world conditions, where they could emit up to 40 times the permitted levels. Several Audi models were affected and Audi has been accused in media reports of having devised the so-called defeat devices years earlier but not to have installed them in its vehicles at that time. Audi and Volkswagen have never commented on the matter.”

What do you think? Will they get off scot-free, or will the people involved this second time around get even more (well-earned) jail time than the first guys? Let us know what you think in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

The Morgan EV3 is the stuff of eco-conscious gearhead dreams. The ultra lightweight trike is capable of sprinting to 60 MPH in under 8 seconds with a top speed of over 100 MPH. It’s no Ludicrous-speed Tesla, sure- but the bantamweight EV was always about motoring. And, for that purpose, it has no equal. Or, it didn’t, until Morgan launched this: the Morgan EV3 Junior.

As far as motorcars go, the EV3 Junior is as finely crafted as any. It’s not just an expensive Power Wheels, in other words- it features a carbon fiber composite body, real wooden dash, and hand-stitched, leather upholstered seating. The suspension, too, is made of high-quality bits that would seem at home on a high-end bike, at least.

You can learn more about Morgan’s tiniest electric terror from their official sales copy, below. Then, let us know what you think of this toy miniature motorcar in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

The Morgan EV3 Junior

In 2016, Morgan announced their first production electric vehicle. Capable of 100mph and 0-60 in 8 seconds, and still entirely coach-built, the EV3 has received great acclaim from motoring press and enthusiasts alike following its launch at the Geneva Motor Show.

Morgan continues to celebrate this new chapter in their manufacturing history by announcing the arrival of the EV3 Junior targeting aspiring young Morgan owners! The EV3 Junior is entirely handmade and features a carbon fiber body, wooden dashboard and hand stitched leather interior.

The EV3 Junior is capable of travelling at 16 kph (about 10 MPH) in forward, and in reverse at a limited speed. A choice of Sport Red, Sport Green or Sport Ivory paint, with black or tan leather, is offered as standard. Any paint color from Morgan’s range of 40,000 can also be selected at a small cost. Further customization is offered with fun sticker packs which can be applied and re-applied as desired.

Other features include working lights and authentic enamel badge detailing. Charging is carried out by the charger provided and takes 4 hours. An average range of 10 miles can be achieved depending on driving style. Morgan cars are known for being lightweight and small, however the EV3 Junior is smaller than most and therefore is only suitable for children over the age of 6. The EV3 Junior is (also) fully CE certified.

“Improving energy efficiency is our first priority and then, for the energy we need to use, we aim for supplies generated from renewable sources,” said Javier Varela, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics at Volvo Cars. “The Skövde plant achievement is an important addition to our broader efforts in minimising our environmental footprint. We are pleased to be a leader within the automotive industry in the move towards climate-neutral manufacturing.”

A new agreement between Volvo Cars and the local provider ensures that all heating supplied to the Skövde plant is generated from waste incineration, biomass and recycled bio-fuels. Since 2008, along with the company’s other European plants, its Skövde site’s electricity supply already comes from renewable sources.

“This is a proud moment both for the Skövde plant and for Volvo Cars,” said Stuart Templar, Director for Sustainability. “Environmental care is one of our core values. Along with our plan to electrify all new Volvo cars launched from 2019, carbon neutral manufacturing operations will significantly reduce our overall carbon footprint, supporting global efforts to tackle climate change.”

Volvo Cars is constantly looking at innovative ways to move towards its 2025 vision. For example, in 2016, the production plant in Ghent, Belgium, introduced a district heating system that reduced carbon emissions by 40 per cent, saving 15,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“We will continue to work actively with our energy suppliers in all regions to secure further access to renewable energy for our manufacturing plants,” said Javier Varela.

The traditional Big 3 of American automakers each had a radically redesigned truck to show off at this week’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. For Ford, it was the long-awaited resurrection of the Ford Ranger, but over at the GM booth was some potentially bigger news: the Chevy Silverado pick up is all new for MY2019.

Compare Chevy’s 600,000 number to the 1550 Model 3 deliveries Tesla managed to make happen in the same period and you can begin to see that even a slight improvement in Silverado fuel economy has the potential to make a much bigger impact on the environment than the Model 3 (so far, at least).

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW CHEVY SILVERADO FOR 2019

Most functional bed of any full-size truck, including class-leading cargo volume

Up to 450 pounds lighter from mixed materials use for improved performance

Six engine/transmission choices, including an all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six diesel

Eight models, each with distinct personalities for different truck customers

DETROIT — Chevrolet introduced the next-generation Silverado today, exactly 100 years after the brand delivered its first trucks to customers in January 1918. The all-new Silverado sets the course for the next century of Chevy Trucks with the most functional bed of any full-size truck, weighs up to 450 pounds less for increased performance and offers a broad range of trims and engine/transmission combinations to help each customer find their ideal truck.

“With the all-new Silverado, we’ve taken the best truck on the road and made it even better,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo volume, and yet, thanks to our mixed materials strategy and mass reduction expertise, the new truck is 450 pounds lighter than the current model.”

Larger, more functional and more capable bed

“Truck customers value capability and functionality above all else,” said Tim Herrick, executive chief engineer of Full-Size Trucks. “Every truck — including the luxurious High Country — is a work truck with a job to do. As such, we set out to create the best tool for the job at hand, one that makes work more productive and more enjoyable, no matter what they call ‘work.’’’

The bed is the defining trait of every pickup, and bed construction has long been a strength of Chevy Trucks. To improve upon that strength, the 2019 Silverado 1500 bed features:

Best-in-class cargo volume: The 2019 Silverado offers the most cargo volume in every bed length, with the short-box offering 63 cubic feet of volume — up to 20 percent more than a competitor’s short-box. Most of that volume was created by widening the maximum width of the bed floor nearly seven inches. Chevrolet Accessories will offer storage bins that fit over the wheel wells, offering nearly seven cubic feet of lockable cargo space for short-box models, while easily accommodating a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood flat on the cargo floor.

Higher-strength steel floor: As before, the Silverado has a roll-formed, high-strength steel bed floor. For 2019 a higher-grade steel is used, with yield strength increased from 340 to 500 megapascals of pressure for optimal strength and mass.

More and stronger tie-downs: Silverado now has 12 fixed tie-downs, and their strength has doubled to 500 pounds of force before bending. Silverado also has nine moveable tie points for even more cargo flexibility.

More features: Silverado will be available with a class-exclusive power up/down tailgate that can be operated from the key fob, interior button or by hand. Other changes include available task lighting, a 120-volt power outlet and larger cutouts in the class-exclusive CornerStep bumpers to better accommodate steel-toed boots.

With class-leading cargo volume and class-exclusive features, the new Silverado offers the most functional bed of any full-size truck, and more convenient hauling for cargo of virtually any size or shape.

Larger, lighter and more agile

The 2019 Silverado is larger than before, including a wheelbase that is up to 3.9 inches (100 mm) longer and an overall length that is 1.6 inches (41 mm) longer, enabling both more cargo volume and more interior room for all cab lengths. Remarkably, it’s also lighter, weighing 450 pounds (204 kg) less than today’s truck when comparing crew cab V-8 models.

The weight savings comes from extensive use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing processes throughout the next-gen truck. This allowed Chevrolet to use the right material for the application and optimize every component for mass, durability, safety and functionality to meet our customers’ needs.

For example, the body is 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than before due to mixed materials use. All exterior swing panels (doors, hood and tailgate) are made of aluminum while fixed panels (fenders, roof and bed) are made of steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel, each tailored for the specific application.

The fully boxed steel frame is also 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than its predecessor, while offering 10 percent greater torsional rigidity. Eighty percent of the frame is made of high-strength steel varying from 2 to 5 millimeters in thickness, and every millimeter is optimized for performance using a variety of processes, including hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping and tailor-rolled blanking. As a result, frame sections, gauges, grades, processes and materials strategically vary to maximize strength, durability and stiffness without adding unnecessary mass.

Mixed materials also play a part in the all-new suspension. The front independent short/long arm suspension features new forged-aluminum upper control arms that are lighter and provide better wheel alignment than the stamped component they replace. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite second-stage springs on LT models that save about 12 pounds (5 kg) per side over the steel springs they replace.

The 2019 Silverado will be available with six engine/transmission combinations, giving customers more combinations of performance, efficiency and value to best fit their priorities. This includes new 5.3L and 6.2L V-8s with industry-first Dynamic Fuel Management that actively shuts off any number of cylinders, in a variety of combinations, depending on immediate needs to optimize fuel economy. The result of this industry-first technology is instant power when called for, and impressive efficiency.

The Silverado will also be available with an all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel. Chevrolet offers diesel engines in more segments and models than any other brand, including Equinox, Cruze, Colorado, Express, Silverado 1500, Silverado HD and upcoming Silverado medium-duty models.

Both the 3.0L diesel and 6.2L engines are paired with a new Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission as well as start/stop technology to improve fuel economy for optimum performance and efficiency.

No “one size fits most” trucks

“Truck customers told us they want the perfect truck for them and not a ‘one size fits most’ truck, compromised for the masses,” said Mike Simcoe, vice president, Global Design, General Motors. “That insight shaped our design strategy with eight distinct models, each with a unique personality to fit different customers, from the affordable Work Truck to the luxurious High Country.”

All models introduce a modern, powerful design with a strong dose of Chevy Truck DNA. For example, the “CHEVROLET” name stamped on the tailgate recalls iconic Chevy trucks of the 1950s and ‘60s, while the integrated dual exhausts and up to 33-inch tires reflect modern customer preferences.

The Silverado’s bold, modern design is also surprisingly aerodynamic. Key elements of the front grille are front functional air curtains, similar to those introduced on the sixth-generation Camaro, that reduce aerodynamic drag by routing air around the front wheel wells. The powerful side profile further enhances aerodynamics, including an integrated spoiler at the rear edge of the cab that directs air onto the tailgate lip, reducing wind drag from the bed. Changes like these result in a 7 percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency.

The new Chevy Silverado offers eight trims (see descriptions, next page), designed for three distinct buyer profiles:

“High Value” customers want the capability of a full-size truck at a great value.

“High Volume” customers represent the heart of the truck market, requiring the capability of a full-size truck as well as the creature comforts of a passenger vehicle.

“High Feature” customers represent the fastest-growing part of the truck market and want luxury-car refinement and appointments without sacrificing capability or durability.

The eight trims also reflect another key differentiator for truck buyers: chrome. “Chrome has become more polarizing, and more personal, than any other aspect of truck design,” said Rich Scheer, director, Exterior Design, Chevrolet Trucks. “Some customers want no chrome at all and only body-color or blacked-out trim. Others feel a truck isn’t a truck without a chrome bumper, but feel extra chrome can be too ‘flashy.’ Others want as much chrome as they can get.”

Accordingly, the eight trims are tailored to give customers a wide range of features and levels of chrome, enabling customers to choose the best truck for their personal preferences.

More functional and more connected interiors

The interior design was also strongly influenced by customer feedback. Because truck owners use their vehicles for both hauling cargo and transporting people, customers’ top priorities were more comfortable seating, more interior cargo storage and more functional, easy-to-use controls.

Accordingly, the cab has been stretched, with crew-cab models now offering 3 inches of additional rear-seat legroom for an impressive 44.5 inches of front legroom and 43.8 inches of rear legroom.

New available storage options include two 10-liter bins integrated in the second-row seatbacks for holding small items like gloves or tie-down straps, as well as a large 24-liter storage tray under the second-row seat that can secure everything from gallons of milk to fishing rods and tackle boxes.

Every surface has been designed for function and ergonomics, from the rotary knob textures to the infotainment screen angle. Even the luxurious High Country is subjected to stringent durability tests, including 100,000 seat-slide tests to make sure the supple seats meet the expectations of our toughest owners.

The Silverado was already the first pickup to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, wireless phone charging and OnStar safety and security features. For 2019, that leadership will be improved with new safety and convenience features to be announced later this year.

Making the Most Dependable, Longest Lasting full-size trucks even more so

“Truck customers told us they depend on their trucks for much more than just transportation,” said Herrick. “Many use their trucks to earn a paycheck, or to do what they enjoy most when they’re off the clock. Given how important trucks are to our customers, we set a lofty goal for exceeding the dependability and longevity of the current Silverado.”

To do so, the engineering team doubled many of the key validation metrics for the next-gen truck, making it the most-tested vehicle GM has ever produced. That includes accumulating a staggering seven million miles of real-world testing before the first Silverado is delivered to customers.

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through Jan. 28 in Detroit. Production of the 2019 Silverado will begin at the Fort Wayne, Indiana Assembly plant, ranked the highest-quality plant in North America by J.D. Power and Associates, with customer deliveries beginning this fall.

2019 Silverado 1500 Trim Levels

High Value:

Work Truck features “CHEVROLET” graphic across the grille and tailgate, blacked-out trim and 17-inch steel wheels for maximum durability. The interior features durable vinyl or cloth seats and 7-inch color touch screen.

LT features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille and mirror caps, Chevrolet bowtie in the grille, LED reflector headlamps and signature daytime running lights. The interior features an 8-inch color touch screen and available leather seating surfaces

RST (new for 2019) brings a street-performance appearance to the LT, with body-color trim, full LED lighting (foglamps, headlamps and taillamps) and up to 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.

LTZ features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille, mirror caps, door handles and hockey-stick belt line as well as power folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. Leather interior trim is standard equipment.

High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish, body-color accents plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.

Despite having not launched a new electric or electrified vehicle in more than five years, it’s important to remember that Ford can be innovative. When it wants to be. After all, Ford invented the pony car when it introduced the Mustang more than 50 years ago and helped to create the modern sport utility vehicle when it put a passenger car body on a Ranger pickup chassis and called it the Explorer. Since then, though, Ford seems content to waft along, buoyed by the hefty profits derived from selling light duty pickup trucks to suburban cowboys.

The Ford announcement was viewed as a half-hearted attempt to keep investors happy while still cranking out fleets of F-150s and new Ranger pick up trucks. But the world of automobiles is not a placid playground where the profits go on forever. Entire nations are threatening to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines in the not too distant future- and, despite a push to lower emissions and fuel economy standards in the US, those same countries are ratcheting up their requirements.

GM revealed a fully autonomous version of its electric Chevy Bolt at CES last week, and it was- I mean, can you call an advanced concept car lazy? Take a look at that official, GM-produced photo of the Bolt AV, above. Do you see the problem, yet?

That’s right. The people behind the car that is meant to show off GM’s future and place Chevrolet up on a pedestal among other autonomous heavy-hitters like Tesla, Google, and Volvo, didn’t even bother to make their interior symmetrical- and I’m not the only one who noticed, either. You can clearly see the bias towards the traditional “driver’s seat” location by placing the screen off to the right. Which- maybe makes sense? But, since there is no human driver- and no human driving even possible, without controls- doesn’t that seem a little odd?

Maybe it’s not, and GM rightly assumes that the majority of trips will be of the single-passenger variety in the future, too. That’s probably right- isn’t it?

Check out Steve Hanley’s well-thought out piece, originally published by our sister site, EV Obsession, below. Then, let us know what you think of the autonomous Bolt AV (for “autonomous vehicle”, natch) in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Autonomous Chevy Bolt Shown at CES | Video

Are you sitting down? General Motors said this past week it plans to begin producing a fully autonomous car with no steering wheel and no pedals — not in some far off time, but next year. It says Chevy Bolts fitted with 4th generation autonomous technology will start rolling off the assembly line in 2019. The announcement makes for a nice segue between the end of CES 2018 and the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

GM’s crosstown rival, Ford, says it will be offering driverless cars, but not until 2021. Google is planning to begin a driverless ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, soon using modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans, but those cars will still be fitted with traditional pedals and a steering wheel. The autonomous Chevy Bolts are intended for use in ride-hailing duty in several US cities, and will not be made for sale to individuals. At least, not yet.

GM Announces Autonomous Chevy Bolt AV at Detroit

GM President Dan Ammann told The Verge. “It’s a pretty exciting moment in the history of the path to wide scale deployment and having the first production car with no driver controls. We believe this technology will change the world, and we’re doing everything we can to get it out there at scale as fast as we can.” If GM can stick to its self-imposed timeline, the self-driving Bolt will be the first mass-produced fully autonomous car in the world. It will be assembled at the Orion Township factory alongside its conventional cousins.

GM has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a number of waivers from existing vehicle safety regulations. For instance, the autonomous Bolts will have no steering-wheel-mounted airbag because they have no steering wheel. D’uh. “A car without a steering wheel can’t have a steering wheel airbag,” Ammann said. “What we can do is put the equivalent of the passenger side airbag on that side as well. So it’s to meet the standards but meet them in a way that’s different than what’s exactly prescribed, and that’s what the petition seeks to get approval for.”

GM is currently testing its autonomous cars in Phoenix and in San Francisco. The company says the City by the Bay presents many more challenges for self-driving vehicles. “While we also test vehicles in Phoenix, our San Francisco vehicles predict an average of 32 times as many possible interactions as those in Phoenix. Thus, San Francisco challenges our self-driving system more because, as the number of objects increase, there are exponentially more possible interactions with objects that the self- driving system must consider. For example, GM’s self-driving Chevy Bolt AVs (would) encounter 270 emergency vehicles for every 1,000 miles driven in San Francisco, compared to just six in Phoenix.”

Each autonomous Chevy Bolt has not one but two data recorders to store data pertinent to every driving situation. Together, they keep a digital record of all input data from the car’s sensors, information about acceleration, braking and steering actions, and any malfunctions that may occur. Both are designed to survive in the event of a catastrophic accident.

GM is anxious to establish a lead in the autonomous car field. It has acquired Cruise Automation, a San Francisco based self-driving startup, as well as Strobe, another startup that specializes in Lidar technology. Adding both to its portfolio is part of the General’s plan to become a “full stack” autonomous car company.” It also plans to introduce up to 20 new EVs by 2023.

As Tesla muddles through “production hell” with its Model 3, some are suggesting the legacy automakers may not be as threatened by Tesla as once thought. Designing cutting-edge electric cars with advanced autonomous features may be where Tesla shines, but building millions of high-quality units is something the car companies have been doing very well for generations.

One area where Tesla still has a wide lead is integrating the sensors that are needed to make autonomous cars a reality in a way that does not detract from the appearance of the cars. Compared to the crude Lost In Space type arrays that sprout from the autonomous cars being tested by Waymo, Uber, General Motors, and others, Tesla’s sensor suite is virtually invisible to the untrained eye. It’s a good thing those cars from other companies are intended for commercial service because it is unlikely any self-respecting car owner would want one of those antlered beasts parked in the driveway.

After years of watching the world-market Ranger do kicka** tricks like towing trains and playing in the mud and generally being awesome, we are thrilled to announce that Ford has launched an all-new, US market Ford Ranger at the 2018 North American International Auto Show!

There’s not a whole lot more for me to add that doesn’t sound like crazy fangirl squeals, at this point. Suffice it to say, however, that I will be following Range-based developments very closely in the coming months. Bronco ones, too, while we’re at it- and, maybe, Ford will recapture some of the magic it used to have when guys like Bob Glidden were flying the blue oval flag way back when. Here’s hoping.

So, until one of us here at Important Media gets a chance to drive the thing or it gets caught cheating on its emissions tests or something, check out Ford’s official press release. I’ve also included 30 high-resolution photos and a PR video of the all-new Ford Ranger, below. Enjoy!

AN AMERICAN FAVORITE REINVENTED: NEW FORD RANGER BRINGS BUILT FORD TOUGH INNOVATION TO U.S. MIDSIZE TRUCK SEGMENT

Ready for adventure with innovative technology: New features make driving easier and more fun, both on- and off-road; available FX4 Off-Road Package adds protective skid plates, upgraded tires, off-road-tuned shocks and suspension, while Terrain Management System™ and Trail Control™ help navigate challenging conditions; a suite of innovative technologies includes standard Automatic Emergency Braking to help avoid collisions

Strong new choice for midsize truck fans: Ranger brings American truck lovers an all-new choice; production begins late this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant as the U.S. industry sees continued growth in midsize pickups

Production begins late this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant as customer demand is growing for midsize trucks. U.S. sales are up 83 percent since 2014 as a new generation of midsize truck buyers seek more maneuverable, fuel-efficient pickups.

The 2019 Ford Ranger answers the call with an all-new midsize pickup featuring a new exterior design, chassis and power train developed specifically for North American truck customers. Powerful and strong, with a high-strength steel frame, Ranger is equipped with a proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine mated to the only 10-speed automatic transmission in the segment.

“Ranger has always held a special place in the hearts of truck fans,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing. “The all-new Ranger is designed for today’s midsize truck buyer, delivering even more utility, capability and technology for those who blend city living with more off-the-grid adventures on weekends.”

Ranger comes in entry-level XL, mid-level XLT and high-level Lariat trim series with available Chrome and Sport appearance and FX Off-Road packages, and in SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations.

Built Ford Tough

Built Ford Tough is engineered in Ranger’s DNA – from its high-strength steel frame backbone to its frame-mounted steel front and rear bumpers. Ford engineers put Ranger through the same torture testing as the legendary F-150 goes through.

Even its design is tough. Ranger’s muscular body features a high beltline that emphasizes strength, while a raked grille and windshield provide an athletic appearance – designed to aid in aerodynamics and reduce wind noise. Short overhangs are functional off-road for clearing obstacles.

From the rear, the Ranger nameplate stamped in the tailgate conveys strength, and the tailgate itself is designed to handle people and cargo. A rugged steel bumper with an available integrated trailer hitch receiver helps make towing campers, ATVs or watercraft a breeze.

Inside, Ranger blends comfort and functionality with room for up to five people, their gear and accessories. A center stack includes an 8-inch touch screen for the available SYNC® 3 system, while the instrument cluster features dual LCD productivity screens for real-time vehicle, navigation and audio information.

Ranger’s twin-power dome hood houses its 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine designed for efficiency and capability thanks to direct fuel injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger and 16-valve design. For added durability, the engine features a forged-steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and chain-driven dual overhead cams.

“Ranger’s proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost provides a torque target on par with competing V6 engines, but with the efficiency of a four-cylinder,” said Thai-Tang. “When you pair that with its 10-speed transmission, you’ve got one of the most versatile, powerful and efficient power trains in the segment.”

Adventure-ready

Ranger is designed for a new generation of midsize truck customers who head off-road to recharge.

To give customers a great all-terrain driving experience, Ranger’s FX4 Off-Road Package features an innovative Terrain Management System™ similar to the F-150 Raptor’s. It includes four distinct drive modes – normal; grass, gravel and snow; mud and ruts; and sand. The system can shift on the fly to automatically change throttle responsiveness, transmission gearing and vehicle controls to tailor traction, drivability and performance to any given terrain or weather condition.

The FX4 Off-Road Package introduces Ford’s all-new Trail Control™ technology. Like cruise control for the highway but designed for low-speed, rugged terrain, Trail Control takes over acceleration and braking – sending power and braking to each individual wheel to allow drivers to focus on steering along the course.

Power is distributed through Dana® AdvanTEK® independent front and solid rear axles on both 2WD and 4WD models with an available electronic-locking rear axle (standard on FX2 and FX4) for increased all-terrain traction. Ranger four-wheel-drive versions feature 2-high, 4-high and 4-low.

Available SYNC® 3 features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Ford+Alexa personal assistant functionality and optional navigation. An available FordPass™ Connect 4G LTE modem provides Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices. Available AC power outlets allow for charging of laptops and USB outlets provide more options for passengers to connect. Available B&O PLAY premium audio is specially tuned for the Ranger cab to deliver a rich and engaging listening experience.

Additional features include optional LED headlamps and tail lamps. Optional exterior lighting includes puddle lamps and lighting for the cargo bed, while Ford’s available Smart Trailer Tow connector alerts drivers to faulty trailer connections.

Granted, I am a bit of a Volvo fanboy. Still, that shouldn’t take away from the achievement. It’s a historic achievement for Volvo, too. With the release of the new XC60 last summer, Volvo Cars became the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. Which, considering the company’s reputation and goals for 2020, shouldn’t be surprising. “Our vision is that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “The achievements of the XC60 are examples of our commitment to developing the latest safety and support systems as we strive towards that vision.”

Volvo XC60 is 2017’s Overall Safest Car in Euro NCAP

Volvo Cars’ XC60 has been crowned the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.

The XC60 scored a near-perfect 98 per cent in the Adult Occupant category and in its Large Off-Road class, showed a clear advantage in Safety Assist with a score of 95 per cent – 20 percentage points higher than the nearest Large Off-Road competitor – underlining Volvo Cars’ position as a leader in automotive safety.

“The new XC60 is one of the safest Volvo cars ever made,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “It is fully loaded with new technology designed to assist drivers, to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, plus mitigate collision risks. We are proud that our ongoing commitment to innovating new safety features has been recognised with another Euro NCAP Best in Class award for Volvo Cars.”

The Euro NCAP award for the XC60 follows in the tracks of Volvo Cars’ XC90, which in 2015 was also named the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance that year. Volvo Cars’ V40 is another previous Euro NCAP winner, in the Small Family class.

“Our vision is that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Malin Ekholm. “The achievements of the XC60 are examples of our commitment to developing the latest safety and support systems as we strive towards that vision.”

The XC60 also joins the S90 and V90 in making history for Volvo Cars as the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. The three Volvo cars are the only cars to have achieved perfect scores in all three AEB categories.

The S90 and V90 also scored highly at the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class awards, achieving 95 per cent in the Adult Occupant category and 93 per cent in the Safety Assist category.

The Euro NCAP award follows the XC60 being named Japan’s 2017-18 Car of the Year. The XC60 also won the UK’s 2017 Car Tech Awards for Best Safest Car, Best Safety Technology and Best Sat-Nav; and was crowned Luxury SUV of the Year in the UK’s Professional Driver 2017 Car of the Year awards. The XC60 has also been named as one of three finalists for the 2018 North American Utility of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced on 15 January 2018.

Euro NCAP awards

Each year, Euro NCAP publishes a ‘Best in Class’ to indicate which vehicles have performed better than their competitors launched in the same calendar year, using a weighted sum of scores for accurate comparison in each class, across four areas of assessment: adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian and safety assist.

Volvo XC60 – Safest Car in Euro NCAP Test

Are you the type of person who watches the Super Bowl “just” for the commercials? If so, you’re going to love a new advertising startup called Telenav, because they are going to start beaming ads right into all the fancy screens that are crowding the interior of your connected car.

Yes, really.

Telenav Wants Your Autonomous Car to Play Ads

One of the most basic tenets of any “green” philosophy is that you don’t want to buy something that’s disposable. It’s reduce, re-use, and recycle, after all. With cars and homes, especially- commodities that require a massive amount of energy to build- you want to buy something that lasts and keep it on the road for as long as you can. That’s what makes the following list, compiled by researchers at iSeeCars, so interesting: the 15 cars people keep driving for 15 years.

That’s right. 15 years. “While a decade on the road used to be a significant milestone for vehicle life expectancy, the elevated quality of cars being produced has raised this standard to beyond ten years ,” said Phong Ly, CEO of iSeeCars. “Japanese automakers are known for setting quality and reliability standards, so it is no surprise that they are the most likely to reach the fifteen-year milestone.”

The proposed joint venture factory to be built by Toyota and Mazda has found a new home: Alabama. The southern state will be the site of the new $1.6 billion factory, and will eventually will employ up to 4,000 people and produce about 300,000 vehicles a year.

The deal is being couched as a victory for President Donald Trump and his threatened, protectionist tariffs on foreign production, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Trump tweeted in March, 2017, that, “Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax!”

So- yeah. It looks like he got his way. And, honestly, it’s a good thing, too. The south needs jobs, and this factory will not only employ the 4,000 people who work there, but the people who make their uniforms, pick up their trash, feed them, and all down the line. It’s also good news for enthusiasts, because Mazda continues to make some the best-driving cars in the business, and Toyota could use some Vroom-vroom in its DNA these days. Or any day, really- and the Mazda-built Toyota/Scion Yaris iA is living, driving proof that the partnership seems to be good for all involved.

That’s just my opinion, though. What’s yours? Is any apparent Trump victory worth getting angry about because it will be “good for him”, or is beleaguered southern states like South Carolina and Alabama getting a bit of well-deserved good news a cause to celebrate? Let us know. Comments.

The OjO electric scooter is one of the many possible solutions being presented to commuters these days. Intended to ride with commuters on trains and buses, the point of these vehicles is to get people across that “last mile” that separates their destination from public transit. At this year’s CES show, the OjO got a bit of a marketing boost. From Ford.

Ford OjO Electric Scooter

As far as EVs go, the new Ford OjO features an all-aluminum frame that can support up to 300 pounds of rider meat. In addition, its 500-watt electric motor provides enough power to handle grades up to 18 percent and can be recharged using a standard 110 outlet- which is great news for apartment-dwellers who usually have difficulty in finding an EV charging port.

Ford’s new OjO- which, it should be said, is the same as the old, non Ford-branded OjO- is available for order now for $2199 on the company’s website. A special edition of the bike will also be available, soon, at select Ford dealerships in the US and Europe. Which, I dunno- could be cool.

It’s hard to know, for sure, what you’re looking at when you see a concept video like this one, below, by Garmin. One thing that’s certain, however, is that it looks an awful lot like a Volvo interior. Thing is, if it is a Volvo interior, it belongs to a car that we haven’t yet seen.

That, or it’s just a mock-up Garmin made to show off its tablet integration capabilities using the most advanced-looking interior it could find. You can watch the video, below, and let us know what you think we’re looking at in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Check out Kia’s official CES press release for the new Kia Niro EV, below, then let us know what you think of Kia’s odds against Nissan and Tesla in the comments section at the bottom of the page. As for the pictures- you know the drill: click to enlarge.

BOUNDLESS FOR ALL | KIA NIRO EV PRESENTS VISION FOR FUTURE MOBILITY

Las Vegas – January 8, 2018 – Kia Motors today presents its future mobility vision at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Under its new ‘Boundless for all’ vision, Kia will bring a future in which opportunities for mobility and transportation are limitless. To broaden horizons with its mobility services, Kia is also demonstrating a range of new technologies as part of its new ‘ACE’ strategy to make its cars more Autonomous, Connected and Eco/Electric.

“‘Boundless for all’ is Kia’s future vision – where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the infinite value that future mobility will bring. This is Kia’s manifesto for its role as a mass mobility provider in the future. Consumers are bound today by the idea that a car is ‘just a vehicle’, but Kia is committed to providing a broader solution to mobility. ‘Boundless for all’ represents a future in which a vehicle can be so much more than the sum of its parts,” said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Kia R&D Center.

Kia’s ‘ACE’ strategy is based around three core elements, presenting Kia’s vision for future personal transportation:

Connected – By 2025, Kia will adopt connected car technologies across every vehicle segment, and aim to make every single model a connected car by 2030

Eco/Electric – Kia will introduce 16 new advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including a range of new hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, as well as an all-new fuel-cell electric vehicle in 2020

Alongside these technologies, Kia announced its plans to roll-out its ‘WiBLE’ car-sharing service – launched in Korea in 2017 – to new regions from 2018, starting with Europe.

At CES 2018, Kia is presenting a range of interactive exhibits which combine existing and future technologies. These demonstrate how vehicles could be optimized for enhanced connectivity as they become more autonomous.

Kia’s exhibits at CES 2018 hint at a future ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’. Visitors can interact with Kia’s developing autonomous drive technologies through a VR simulator, while also experiencing a V2X diorama demonstrating how cars could connect with other vehicles and the urban environment.

The company plans to operate a large-scale test fleet for autonomous technology on public roads from 2019, paving the way for commercial production of the technology. Kia aims to commercialize Level 4 autonomous vehicles in smart cities from 2021 with a new Smart City pilot project.

“Kia’s connected cars will be both boundless and connected and offer a new kind of mobility experience. Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and ‘vehicle-to-everything’ connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to deploy these new technologies for its customers. Our strategy and vision for future mobility is demonstrated by a range of interactive displays, showing what our customers can look forward to,” said Vice Chairman Yang.

16 new electrified vehicles by 2025

Kia will continue to expand its range of environmentally-friendly cars in the coming years, and plans to offer a total of 16 electrified vehicles by 2025, including a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2020.

“By 2025, we will offer a total of 16 advanced powertrain vehicles, with five new hybrids and plug-in hybrids, five new battery EVs, and an all-new mass market FCEV. Due to launch in 2020, this FCEV will spearhead Kia’s efforts to realize a zero-emission future for mobility,” said Vice Chairman Yang.

As part of this strategy, Kia is exhibiting the Kia Niro EV Concept at CES 2018. Combining the stylish design of a modern compact SUV with the high efficiency of an advanced battery-electric powertrain, the Kia Niro EV Concept represents the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification.

Created by Kia’s design studio in Korea, the Niro EV Concept is a fully-electric compact SUV. Its aerodynamically-efficient body allows air to slip over, around and beneath the vehicle with ease. The traditional grille – no longer required for engine cooling – is replaced by a smooth interactive display panel, combined with ultra-slim lamp technology in the overall front. In profile, the concept draws inspiration from the current Kia Niro, with a modish compact crossover silhouette, elevated body and wide C-pillar. The Niro EV Concept’s seamless rear aspect has clean and sharp trailing edges allowing air to flow more easily off the back of the car.

With a silent electric power train, and the anticipation that such a car would be driven most frequently on urban and suburban roads, the Kia Niro EV Concept boasts new technologies to enhance safety for pedestrians.

The concept’s new Active Pedestrian Warning System (APWS) features a combination of front view cameras, object recognition technology and front speakers. If the system detects a pedestrian or cyclist crossing in front of the car, the speakers sound an alert targeted specifically at that person, warning them of the car’s presence. APWS is matched by the Niro EV Concept’s new interactive lighting system, which offers users and pedestrians a highly-intuitive visual communication with vehicle.

Inside, the cabin has been designed with a pure, minimalist and digital appearance, creating greater user interaction with new technologies and features. With a wrap-around design to cocoon the driver and passengers, the dashboard’s horizontal layout has broad and smooth surfaces. The effect is an innate sense of space and calm in the cabin, enhanced by the soft shades of silver, grey and bronze covering every surface.

The Niro EV Concept is powered by a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for near-future EVs from Kia. Energy is provided by a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, paired with a powerful 150 kW electric motor. The Niro EV Concept suggests a driving range of 238 miles (383 kilometers), with zero tailpipe emissions.

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The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.